Xibalba

In the mythology of the Maya of Middle America, Xibalba (place of fright)
was an underground realm of the dead. Caves and pools of water served as
entry points to the realm. During the later part of its history, the Mayan
empire was sometimes called the empire of Xibalba.

A story recorded in the
Popol Vuh,
the sacred book of the Maya, tells of a visit to Xibalba by the Hero
Twins, Hunahpú and Xbalanqúe. Much earlier their father and
uncle, also twins, had been summoned by the powerful lords of Xibalba.
Disturbed by the brothers' ball playing on earth, the lords had invited
them to the
underworld
for a ball game and then killed them.

Later Hunahpú and Xbalanqúe were also ordered to come to
Xibalba. There they passed through a series of trials in various houses,
and in each house they faced a test of their wits, strength, and courage.
In the Dark House, for example, they had to endure darkness. In the Razor
House they "tamed" the blades that were supposed to kill
them and persuaded the cutting ants to bring them flowers, which they
presented to the lords of Xibalba.

The Hero Twins eventually tricked and killed the lords of Xibalba. The
people of the underworld surrendered to the twins, who sentenced them to
pass their time making pottery and other humble tools rather than playing
ball. The Hero Twins escaped
from the underworld through their cleverness and determination, setting
an example that the souls of kings and nobles could try to follow.